1. Trade Facilitation Agreement IT-related Implementation

2. In this presentation:
Trade Facilitation Agreement – Benefits and Structure
What next?
Capacity Building

3. Estimated benefits
Cost reduction potential of almost 10% of trade cost. OECD Trade Policy Working Paper, No. 118, 2011
Reduction of total trade costs of 14.5% for low income, 15% for lower-middle income, and 13.2% for upper-middle income countries OECD Trade Policy Working Paper, No. 144, 2013
Up to two-thirds of the total gains to be obtained by developing countries. OECD TD/TC/WP(2003)31/FINAL 3 3

4. Structure of the TFA Section I
The TFA contains 12 Articles with approximately 40 “technical measures”
Section II
Special provisions for developing and least-developed country Members
Section III
Final provisions and institutional arrangements

5. Section I
The trade facilitation Agreement contains 12 Articles with approximately 40 “technical measures”
Article 1
Publication & Availability
of Information
Article 5
Measures to Enhance
Impartiality, Non-Discrimination
& Transparency
Article 9
Movement under
Customs Control
Article 2
Comment
and Consultations
Article 6
Disciplines on Fees
and Charges
Article 10
Import, Export
&Transit Formalities
Article 3
Advance
Rulings
Article 7
Release and Clearance
of Goods
Article 11
Freedom
of transit
Article 4
Procedures for
Appeal or Review
Article 8
Border Agency
Cooperation
Article 12
Customs
Cooperation

6. Section II
Special provisions for developing and least-developed country Members
Category A
Developing: To be implemented at the time the TFA enters into force
LDCs: To be implemented within one year after the TFA enters into force
Category B
To be implemented after a transitional period following the entry into force of the TFA
Category C
To be implemented after a transitional period and requiring the acquisition of assistance and support for capacity building

7. Category A: Notifications received thus far…

9. Committee on TF: It will oversee the implementation of the TFA
Section III
Final provisions and institutional arrangements
Article 23
Committee on TF: It will oversee the implementation of the TFA
National Committee: Each Member shall establish (or maintain) a national committee

10. What next? The TFAF (“The Facility”, more later…)
Conclude “needs assessments”
Receive Category A commitments
Ratification
Acceptance by 2/3s of Members
Entering into Force of the Agreement
Notification of categories of provisions

11. Capacity building in the WTO
Trade Facilitation Negotiations
Capacity building in the WTO
Assist developing countries and LDCs participating more fully in the global trading system is one of the most important activities of the WTO.
WTO “technical assistance” focuses on increasing human capacity (i.e. helping officials to better understand the WTO rules), and not on improving infrastructure (dealt by other IOs).
Demand-drive; ITTC: several programs; biennial plan
Session 15, 27 Sept 07

12. Capacity building in the TFA
Trade Facilitation Negotiations
Capacity building in the TFA
The TFA acknowledges the importance of assistance and support for capacity building to implement the Agreement
Article 13:2
Assistance and support for capacity building should be provided.
The requirement to implement the Agreement is directly linked to the capacity of the country to do so.
Article 14:1(c): Self-designation of categories, including Category C.
Session 15, 27 Sept 07

13. Article 21: Provision of assistance and support for capacity building
Trade Facilitation Negotiations
Article 21: Provision of assistance and support for capacity building
Donor Members agree to facilitate TACB on mutually agreed terms
Focus is to implement TFA, Section I; sustainable capacity
Could be bilaterally or through appropriate international organizations
Provided in a way that does not compromise
existing development priorities
Members shall endeavour to apply predefined principles (e.g. overall development framework, promote coordination, use of in-country structures, etc.)
Session 15, 27 Sept 07

14. Self-assessment in the TFA
Trade Facilitation Negotiations
Self-assessment in the TFA
Session 15, 27 Sept 07

15. Trade Facilitation Negotiations
The Facility
Launched by the WTO Director General on 22 July 2014.
Became operational on 27 November (i.e. together with the Protocol)
The Facility will complement existing efforts by regional and multilateral agencies, bilateral donors, and other stakeholders to provide Trade Facilitation-related technical assistance and capacity-building support.
Session 15, 27 Sept 07

16. The Facility: Main areas of work
Trade Facilitation Negotiations
Tech nical Assis tanc e and Capa city Build ing (TAC B)
Implementation Assistance
Grants
Session 15, 27 Sept 07

17. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB)
Needs Assessments
Regional workshops for Parliamentarians
E-learning tools
Thematic workshops
Outreach
Dissemination of information

18. Implementation Assistance
Assist in the match-making
Information about the Donors
Developing country contact information
Database of TACB programs of donors, WCO other international and regional organizations
Case studies
Link to training materials

19. Grants Project preparation (max $30,000)
Project implementation (max $200,000)
After entry into force and receipt of Category C notification
If can’t find assistance needed, the Facility will try to find donor

20. Trade Facilitation Negotiations
Thank you!
Session 15, 27 Sept 07